Sabb hosts campaign kick-off

By Michaele DukeStaff Reporter

Monday, July 7, 2014

REPRESENTATIVE RONNIE A. Sabb hosted a campaign kickoff July 1, at the Williamsburg County Recreation Center. The event drew a crowd of supporters of his bid for Senate District 32. PHOTO BY MICHAELE DUKE

Representative Ronnie A. Sabb launched his bid for Senate District 32 Tuesday evening, July 1. South Carolina will hold a special Democratic Primary Election on September 2. The successful attorney from Greeleyville hosted a campaign kickoff at the Williamsburg County Recreation Center, which drew a considerable crowd.Sabb stepped into the political arena when he was voted into office in 2011. Though his tenure has been a short one Sabb said he is part of a collective effort where one man cannot get a single thing done on his own: A subject that may be used as a political target by his opponents. “The question will be asked of you, “What is it that Ronnie Sabb has done for you in Columbia? What is it that he has done for you and what is it that he has done for me?” And here is something else that you will hear. You will hear the word “I” by some of our opponents. You will hear the word me shouted by some of my opponents. Let me tell ya'll what we learned in Columbia. When it's all about the business of I, I, I, and me, me, me - you will see, see, see.”

Rather than being critical of challengers, guest speakers focused on Sabb's reputation as a man of his word. “He's a man of his word,” said Mayor of Lane Charlie Fulton. “He's a man of character and conviction and I know that we think - Williamsburg County and the other counties - that he will be the best senator that they have ever seen.” District 36 Senator Kevin Johnson echoed Mayor Fulton's remarks. “In the general assembly, there's 170 of us,” said Johnson. “There's no one in Columbia that I look up to and respect and admire and emulate more than I do Ronnie Sabb.” Johnson recalled moments where Sabb expressed his love for his fellow man while in the House. “I have witnessed time and time again of Ronnie expressing that love even to people he didn't even know. If you know Ronnie like I know Ronnie, you know he does a lot for people and unless that person tells you, you'll never know because he doesn't do it for attention or fame or anything.”

Others such as Greeleyville Mayor Jessie Parker recalled growing up with the young man who had a knack for moderating. “Ronnie was the most diplomatic person in the group,” said Parker when recalling the days they played basketball together. “When little friction or squalls came up Ronnie would always be the first to come between and iron things out for us.” Johnson pointed to Sabb’s commitment to the county where he was raised is a reflection of his desire to make a difference and not self-serving. “Ronnie does not need the South Carolina Senate,” said Johnson. “The South Carolina Senate needs Ronnie Sabb.”In his closing remarks Sabb said he wanted to make clear his campaign would focus on service and leadership. “This campaign will be about leadership, not talkership,” said Sabb. “What’s the difference? Anybody can talk about leading. Talk is cheap. Anybody can talk about leading. The question is what have we done lately. How have you proven your leadership capabilities?”

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